About (Updated: July 29, 2010)

WELCOME

Welcome to my public face on the Internet. Anything you want to know about me can be found here. You will not find me on the popular social networking websites – by choice. It is because when you hear about 170 million Facebook profiles being harvested and made available to everyone, it is kind of scary. You will find me on Flickr where I share some of the textures I have created over the years.

TECHNICAL SIDE

On my technical side, I have been programming creating prototypes and web applications using Visual Basic, ASP, ASP.NET, Python, etc. I also am proficient on client side technologies such as XML, HTML, CSS, JAVASCRIPT, JQUERY, GOOGLE WIDGITS, and UI design. One of my passion is creating futuristic interface designs that really work (i.e. The Island or Avatar). I am a bit of a techie using my linux notebook exclusively for web browsing. I keep my Mac and Windows work computers pretty much offline (locked down) except for updates and web site testing. Years ago, I started a Real Estate virtual tour business. At that time, I became an expert doing Spherical Panoramas and working with HDR lighting in difficult lighting situations. I have always been interested in photography - in particular the lighting aspects such as chiaroscuro or Rembrandt lighting.

CREATIVE SIDE

I have been working with graphics since 1993-94. back when Photoshop was version 2.5. I have always loved doing computer graphics and photo manipulation. I currently work full time (9-6) at a great healthcare company. I find Photoshop is the basis for everything I do. Anything from corporate presentations to creating textures for Maya.

In 2007 I decided to up the ante on my graphics skills by purchasing and learning Maya 8.5. It took my graphics skills to a new level building on the foundation I had in Photoshop. Maya 8.5 was a blank slate with no texture assets. It took some time to create thousands of textures used to create my current work. I am devoted to learn everything I can about Visual Effects, Motion Graphics, Digital Mattes, and Projections. I also am interested in the visual story telling process 'Making Movies'.

In 2008 I decided to add another skill to my arsenal by purchasing After Effects. It was the final piece in place to round out my visual effects skill set. Whereas before I was only in the flat 2D world of Photoshop, now I have a new dimension which opens up the creative possibilities exponentially. With 3D motion, the creative possibilities are endless!

As a rule, I have found that there is no single software package that does everything I need to do. Also, everysoftware seems to have some set of problems associated with it. THERE IS NO PERFECT SOFTWARE! (i.e. Maya 2009-2010 has Z-Depth file export issues except for OpenEXR). It is the combination of tools and how to use them that produces the desired results. Generally I use (1) Photoshop, (2) Maya, and (3) After Effects as my main tools of choice. I also use Vue/Maya to help create some of my 2D-3D digital mattes. What gives the final product the "polished look" are the plug-ins and effects filters used in conjunction with the above tools mentioned. I love Red Giant plugins.

TODAY'S FOCUS

Here we are in the middle of 2010. It has been a difficult year getting moved into a new home. I am working on some commercials and motion graphic projects. I am also working on some advanced UI (front-end) designs for both the web and mobile applications. I would like to work on some indie films doing visual effects. I plan to have an updated demo reel later in the year. I am looking forward to the rest of 2010 being a great year to create some beautiful Visual Effects and Video Production Projects.

THANKS FOR VISITING!    Jan